Iraq may be transferring chemical and biological weapons to Syria, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said in a TV interview on Tuesday night.

Sharon said that Israel has information that "weapons he (Saddam Hussein) wanted to hide, chemical weapons, biological weapons, were indeed transferred to Syria."

According to Sharon, Israel is currently trying to verify reports it has obtained on the issue. "We have some information to that effect. We are now working to confirm the information." He noted that he is unaware of other states to which Saddam Hussein transferred weapons.

Sharon said that Israel knows that Iraqi scientists work in the Libyan nuclear development industry.

On its part, Syria strongly denied Wednesday Sharon's claims. "This accusation against Syria is ridiculous because Syria signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and called all Arab states to make the Middle East clear of weapons of mass destruction whether nuclear, chemical or biological weapons," a foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.

"The only side that still stands against this call is Israel," the unnamed spokesman said. (Albawaba.com)